Hearing scheduled for Michigan Senate bill to ban cellphone use by novice drivers

Photo by Michael McKeeBonnie Raffaele's 17-year-old daughter, Kelsey, was killed in a car accident while talking on her cellphone. Through her efforts, legislation has been introduced that would ban probationary drivers from using phones.

There will be a hearing for the bill on Feb. 21 in front of the Senate Energy and Technology Committee, said state Sen. Howard Walker, R-Traverse City. Walker introduced the bill and sits on the committee.

"There seems to be a lot of interest in it," he said Wednesday.

The bill arose out of campaign by a constituent in Walker's district. Bonnie Raffaele's 17-year-old daughter was talking on a cellphone when she crashed into an on-coming SUV. Kelsey Raffaele died in the crash, and her mother has been urging teenagers around the Upper Peninsula to not use cellphones while driving.

Young drivers on cellphones are far more likely to be involved in crashes that older drivers, according to an analysis by MLive Media Group. Since 2002, one in five drivers in a crash while on a cellphone were teens. Drivers 16 or 17 years old crashed 841 times.

"I cried," Raffaele said Wednesday after learning about the hearing. "I finally got it to the hearing. I'm so happy they're listening."

Raffaele intends to travel to Lansing to testify.

Walker, whose district includes Raffaele's hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, introduced the bill in October. The bill prohibits cellphone use by drivers with a Level 2 graduated license, when 16-year-olds can drive without an adult. A violation would be a civil infraction, but a fine has not yet been set.

Thirty other states have similar laws against cellphone use by new drivers.

State Sen. Mike Nofs, R-Battle Creek, is the committee chairman and a co-sponsor of the bill. Nofs is a retired Michigan State Police post commander., and Walker thought the senator would be willing to take a look at the bill.

"I'm interested in the facts and figures and getting some data that shows why this is something to look at," Nofs said.